The Rock That Was Stricken

PRAY OVER THIS

“...and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

1 Corinthians 10:4

 

PONDER THIS

The Israelites were in a barren land. They were dying of thirst, and Moses said, “God, what shall I do?” God replied, “Take with you the elders of Israel. Take a rod, go to this rock, and strike the rock with the rod. When you do, water will come from the rock.” (See Exodus 17:5-6, author’s paraphrase.)

Now what is all of this about? It’s no stretch to say this was a glorious illustration of our salvation. First Corinthians 10:11 says, “All these things happened to them as examples.” And 1 Corinthians 10:4 says, “all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” That rock pictured the Lord Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages, stricken for us. Isaiah 53:4 says, “Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”

Jesus, the Rock of Ages, was smitten for us. And because Jesus was smitten for us, out of His side came forth water. That water represented the Holy Spirit, which is the water of life. Because Jesus hung in agony and bled upon that cross and died for us, out of His side has come the refreshment of the Holy Spirit that is in God’s people right now. He was stricken and smitten, that we might be refreshed.

What difference does it make that Jesus is the Rock of Ages who was stricken for you?

How do these types of connections between the Old and New Testaments help to build your faith?

PRACTICE THIS

Read back through the account in Exodus 17:1-7. Reflect on how this is a picture of the salvation that was to come in Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers